After a few security issues in the last few months, H8 service is resumed as usual. Apologies for the down-time – many thanks to those who pointed it out, and of course no thanks to the hackers. On with 2013! …

Dumbarton Rock is a really interesting place, where bottles are smashed and graffiti scrawled on the same walls that the climbers climb on. The climbing is unique and creative, (and also quite colourful for those of a synesthetic disposition…??) and it has the advantage of being probably the driest venue anywhere near Glasgow – if you don’t mind bouldering, or nails-tough trad and sport… It’s also really addictive, and not because it generally doubles as a crack den.

It’s also alright through the lens:

And a short video of Toto Sit Start the other day (and my first font 7a )

About High-8

High-8 is a loose gathering of like minded adventurists who document first person, on the ground experiences with words, photos and film. The hope is to form a rough guide to outdoor adventure sports in Scotland and provide a warts and all, honest representation of what we find. No sport is excluded from mountaineering and mountain biking to gorge walking and kayak all are welcome and encouraged.

The Code

The Country Code, which most of us learned in school (and we probably haven't read since!), was updated in 2004 when it became the Countryside Code. Here's the updated version:

Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs

Leave gates and property as you find them

Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home

Keep dogs under close control

Consider other people

In Scotland, where there is a more general right of access, there also exists the Scottish Outdoor Access Code:

Take responsibility for your own actions

Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind

Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and effectively

Care for the environment

Keep your dog under proper control

Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business.

There's obviously a lot to to be learned from these - it's amazing how many people get out to enjoy the countryside but are still happy to leave it in a mess.
Even with the recent updates, the Countryside Codes seem slightly outdated when considering the wider issues involved when lots of people get out into the countryside. Some places just can't handle high volumes of people, no matter how they behave and publicity, no matter how interesting or well-done , has the potential to attract lots of people to an area. Blogs including video, pictures or words, form part the the wider media which could easily contribute to tipping the balance, and so we as bloggers have to consider the implications of what we decide to post. Can the place we're writing about take more people, and if not, it might be wiser to leave maps, place names or grid references out of posts.
In Scotland, the Mountain Bothies Association has been careful to protect the location of some Bothies due to mis-treatment and, in some cases, even malicious vandalism. That is not to say they would not advocate people using them - in fact, a well used, maintained and loved network of bothies exist, and the MBA as an organisation is there to encourage this. Some bothies are busier than others but generally it is the less remote places which are more susceptible to abuse - something which might be worth considering when deciding whether to post information. It must be said, in most cases it's obvious what should or shouldn't be publisiced, but it's worth taking these considerations to mind.

Please note: The Code is constantly being revised and added to. If you like to add something login in to the discussion on the forum.